Friday, May 13, 2011

2011 NHL Conference Final predictions

PHEW... my beloved team survived a true-to-stereotype meltdown of historic proportions and is poised to play the role of "underdog" against Canada's last hope. Meanwhile, an Original Six team with a 39-year Cup drought is looking to undo the incredible play (and goaltending) of this year's sleeper pick.

Who will be engraved on the chalice? Will the Cup return to Canada after 18 long years, or will it remain in America, perhaps in a "non-traditional market?"

Well, considering my awful, awful predictions about the Semifinals (although I hit the nail on the head for the Sharks... just not in the way I thought), I probably should quit while I'm ahead. But since I correctly guessed the victor (if not always the length) of 7 of the 8 quarterfinal series, I'm going to test my prophecy skills yet again.

WESTERN CONFERENCE = San Jose Sharks over the Vancouver Canucks in 6 games.

I know I've picked six quite a bit in the past few rounds, but these teams are too balanced for sweeps, and yet I don't think we're going to see any game sevens this time around. Goaltending will be a big factor in this, as Tim Thomas, Dwayne Roloson, Antti Niemi, and Roberto Luongo have been lights out for their teams. The weight of the world is going to fall on Luongo's shoulders, since the Vancouver Canucks rise and fall with his every save (or lack thereof). What's interesting to note is that the only goaltender to play a complete game in the Finals is Antti Niemi, who obviously won the Cup last year with Chicago. Roloson's only experience came in Game 1 of the 2006 Finals, when he went out of the game (and series) with an injury, never to return.

So yes, I'm playing the homer in picking San Jose in 6. It's more heart vs. head, but I've invested so much of my heart that my head is spinning, and can't be trusted anyhow.

Aside from my predictions above, I thought I'd rate the four possible matchups, from most compelling to least compelling:

4. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. San Jose Sharks (two non-traditional markets that will probably not interest many outside of the fanbases... although I'd be ecstatic to have this matchup)

The prime storyline of Boston / San Jose would of course be the Joe Thornton subplot, since he would be playing his old team. Furthermore, Boston hasn't won since 1972, almost 20 years before the Sharks even came into existence, so one Cup drought would be ended.

In fact, provided the Bolts (winners in 2004) don't make the Cup Final, one lucky / worthy team is going to finally shed the weight of its Cup drought. The representative of the Western Conference will by vying for its very first Stanley Cup. Vancouver is 0 for 2... is the third time a charm? Will they even get there?

San Jose is unique amongst the final four teams: it's the sole team left that has NEVER been to the Cup Finals. Boston last went in 1990 (and lost to Edmonton), Vancouver last went in 1994 (and lost to the Rangers), and Tampa's only appearance was a win in '04.

The drama begins this Saturday as the Bolts visit the Garden in Boston. The Sharks play the Canuckleheads the following day.

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About Me

I'm a Bay Area native with a love-hate relationship towards my homeland... so I try to get out as much as I can, so that I eventually come to miss it! Oh, and I'm the teacher of some of the best kids in the world.